School of Rock with Paul McDonald and Britt Mooney
Coming up on the Men at the Movies podcast, you get enrolled at the School of Rock. The public school is set up like the world’s system—focused on structure, perfection and performance. It’s intended to create little cookie cutter kids. Dewey comes in to disrupt the system, engaging with the children to bring their hearts to life. He doesn’t see them as they are, he sees them as they could be. Let’s go melt some faces, and discover God’s truth in this movie.
Quotes
Dewey’s presence rescues the kids from the failures of the system to bring these kids to life.
We go to the house of God to say, “This is my reality. I have no hope but you.”
When you’re a purist, you see the potential in others.
The heart of rock is resistance to the system, just like the purpose of the Gospel.
When you’re a purist with a purpose, you better be committed.
Sometimes we try stuff on, and doesn’t work, we feel like we failed when it’s just not our calling.
We’re going to have people who teach us things that are going to disappoint us, and that doesn’t mean what they taught us was bad.
The reward of resistance to the system and speaking the truth is people who want to hear more.
Themes
School is a metaphor, a symbol of the world’s system.
The system is focused on structure, and perfectionism, and performance.
The world will teach you that you can’t win and your life is a waste.
The intention was to create little cookie cutter kids.
Dewey is a disruptor to the world’s system
Engaging with the children to bring their hearts alive.
When you are outside the system, you don’t see people as they are, you see them as they could be.
His intention was to inject life, joy, and personality into helping the kids come alive.
He sees them in a way their parents don’t.
He gave them roles that fit their gifts and talents.
He knew the pain of not being in the band because he had just gotten kicked out. His rejection enabled him to connect with others.
Our mission isn’t winning, but it’s playing a great show.
Worship expresses the honesty of our hearts in rebellion of the world’s system.
Resources
“How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?” - Psalm 13:1 (NIV)
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” - 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
“Dear friends, He is not slow in keeping his promises As some understand slowness to be.” - Charlie Peacock in “Dear Friend”
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” - Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” - John 8:36 (NIV)
Questions
Where does it seem like the world’s system is winning?
How did Jesus disrupt your system, your life?
How does worship bare your heart before your God?
Where do you ask God, “How long?”
Where do you find encouragement? Are you looking for it?
More info
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Edited and mixed by Grayson Foster
Logo and episode templates by Ian Johnston
Audio quotes performed by Britt Mooney, Paul McDonald, and Tim Willard, taken from Epic (written by John Eldredge) and Song of Albion (written by Stephen Lawhead).
Southerly Change performed by Zane Dickinson, used under license from Shutterstock.
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